Inglis fires early warning to rivals

Michael Carayannis

It wasn't that long ago that Greg Inglis's weight created headlines. Now the only weight on his giant 195-centimetre frame is that of expectation after he led the Rabbitohs to their first Charity Shield victory since 2009.

His man-of-the-match performance signalled a warning to the other game's elite - step up or he'll take the mantle as the best player in the NRL.

"He came back last year probably later than usual but worked really hard,'' Maguire said. "He did that again this off-season.

"He probably had a little bit longer this time which has allowed him to get his body right. He is feeling good about his footy and is enjoying his training. While he is doing that he is doing well for us.''

Although his side may have been on the receiving end of some multiple periods of Inglis magic, Dragons coach Steve Price still had praise for the hulking 26-year-old, describing the Queenslander as among the best three players in the world.

"He is a great player,'' Price said. "He is a big unit and he is hard to handle.''